Role of the Family Support in Psychotic Decompensation During Pregnancy and Postpartum Among Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction The pregnancy and the postpartum are two periods of intense psychic vulnerability in particular for women suffering from schizophrenia. The role of the family is paramount during this difficult period. Aims To investigate the role of the family assistance in the triggering of the psychotic decompensation and relapses of women suffering from schizophrenia during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods This was retrospective descriptive study, including 30 women patients suffering from schizophrenia and mothers of a child of less than two years. Data was collected from patients’ clinical files. Information obtained was recorded on a pre-established questionnaire. Results The average age of the patients was 39 years. 80% of the patients were married at the time of the study. The quality of the marital relation was considered to be rather good in 66.66% of the cases, rather bad in 26.66% and was absent for two patients. 40% of the patients faced marital conflicts during the pregnancy and 47% during the postpartum. A good marital support was noticed in 67% of the cases during the pregnancy and 63% of the cases during the postpartum. The patients' mothers were present during the pregnancy in 53% of the cases and during the postpartum in 60%. The patients who were hospitalized for a psychotic decompensation of the postpartum were in 75% of the cases those whose mothers were absent. Conclusion The support of the family during the pregnancy and the postpartum is important in the prevention of psychotic decompensation of the patients suffering from schizophrenia.